A History of Biological Control in Maryland

Although Maryland has a long history of the use of biological control, nowhere are these interesting and sometimes landmark efforts summarized. From 1881 and 1992, 144 species of natural enemies were released in Maryland against at least 49 arthropod pests and weeds. Some type of biological control project has been undertaken in each of Maryland′s 23 counties. This paper provides details primarily of the importation, augmentation, and recolonization, into Maryland, of natural enemies of insect and mite pests of plants, as well as of natural enemies of pest plants (i.e., of weeds).